Easy Ways to Program an RCA Universal Remote with Manual Code Search + More

This article was reviewed by Stan Kats and by wikiHow staff writer, Darlene Antonelli, MA. Stan Kats is a Professional Technologist and the COO and Chief Technologist for The STG IT Consulting Group in West Hollywood, California. Stan provides comprehensive technology solutions to businesses through managed IT services, and for individuals through his consumer service business, Stan's Tech Garage. Stan holds a BA in International Relations from The University of Southern California. He began his career working in the Fortune 500 IT world. Stan founded his companies to offer an enterprise-level of expertise for small businesses and individuals.

This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources.

This article has been viewed 2,041,213 times.

Do you have an RCA Universal Remote that you'd like to program to your TV or DVD player? Fortunately, this is as simple as entering a code or using the "Code Search" button on your remote! This wikiHow article guides you through programming your RCA Universal Remote with your devices.

Things You Should Know

Turn on the device you want to control and point your remote at it.
Press and hold the button for your device on the remote. While pressing, enter your device code. Check the power light and test the remote.
If your remote has a Code Search button, press and hold it until the light turns on. Then, press and release the power button until your device shuts off.

Method 1 of 3:

Manually Entering a Code

In the RCA Remote Code Finder, select the model number of your remote control from the “Model” drop-down. You can find your model number printed on the bottom of your remote. [1] X Research source
Choose the type of device you want to program under “Product Type.”
Find your device's brand (e.g., Sharp, Sony) in the search results. The numerical code next to the brand name is the code you’ll need to enter.

You'll need to keep the remote pointed at the device the entire time you are programming it.

For example, the “TV” button would control your television, while the “CBL” or “SAT” button would control your cable or satellite box.
The “AUX” button is usually assigned to stereo devices.
The Power light on the remote will light up when you press it. Don’t let go of it!

Step 4 Enter the device code while still holding the device button." width="460" height="345" />

If the Power light has turned back on, the remote has been successfully programmed.
If the light blinked four times and then turned off, the code may have been entered incorrectly. Try holding down the device button and re-entering the code.

If you are unable to turn on your device after entering the code, you may have the wrong code. Return to the RCA Remote Control Code Finder and make sure you entered the correct information.
If you still can’t program the code with this method, try using the Code Search button (if there is one) or doing a Manual Code Search. [2] X Research source

Advertisement Method 2 of 3:

For a Remote Without a Code Search Button

You'll only be able to use your RCA remote with devices that support remote control in the first place. If the device did not come with a remote, you likely won't be able to use your RCA remote to control it.
Keep the remote pointed at the device during the code search process.

Press and release the device button that matches the device you want to control. For example, to program the remote for a DVD player, press the DVD button. The Power light will turn on.

Press and hold the Power button on your device and your remote. Continue to hold until the light turns off and then on again.

Once the proper code is found (typically after about five seconds), the device will turn off.
Press the Play or Slow button again if the device does not turn off after five seconds. Pressing this button again will tell the remote to try the next batch of codes. Repeat this every five seconds until the device turns off.

Press the Reverse or Skip Back button once the device turns off. This should turn it back on again. You may have to press this multiple times to find the correct code.

Note: Universal remotes can be finicky, and you may need to start the process over if something goes wrong. Make sure you are keeping the remote pointed at the device and that you follow each step exactly.

Advertisement Method 3 of 3:

For a Remote With a Code Search Button

Universal remotes only work with devices that support remote control in the first place. If the device didn't originally come with a remote, you won't be able to use a universal remote with it.
You'll need to keep the remote pointed at the device as you program.

If your remote has a “Set Up” button instead, complete this method using that button.

what you want to control." width="460" height="345" />

Press and release the device button that corresponds with what you want to control. For example, to control a DVD player, press the DVD-VCR button. The light will blink and then remain lit.

This could take a while if the code for your device is at the end of the remote's internal list. There are a couple hundred codes that you may need to go through.
If you go through the whole list without finding a matching code, the light on the remote will blink four times and then shut off. There's a good chance that the remote will not work with your device, since you've tried every code available.

Press Enter on the remote when the device turns off. This locks the code into your remote. If you accidentally moved past the correct code, you'll have to start the search again.

Not all functions may be available on the universal remote. Your remote may have limited functionality compared to the device's original remote.

Press and hold the Code Search button until the light comes on.
Press and release the device button for the locked code you want to retrieve.
Press and release the Code Search button.
Press the number keys in order, starting with 0. When the light comes on, this indicates the first digit.
Start over at 0 and repeat until you have all three digits.

Community Q&A

What codes are for a Vizio TV? Community Answer

TVs, even from the same brand, use different codes. You will have to find your model number and search online to find the codes.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

How can I find the code for my DVD player? Community Answer

Use the code search function explained in this article or look in the owner's manual for the DVD player.

Why cant I program my RCA remote to work with my Cox Cable Box? Community Answer

Make sure you are using the correct device code. If you're unable to locate the code, try doing a code search with your RCA remote.

Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Advertisement